Introduction: USB Mini Drill
This USB powered drill is perfect for wood, PCB boards, bakelite, cardboards and many more.
Very simple to make, a perfect utility tool for DIY hobbyists.
This tool besides a power bank can also be used by plugging in any 5v USB mobile charger.
Step 1: Things You Need
Things you need:
Cable, USB plug, Mini switch, Mini motor, Electrical connector, Small drill
Step 2: Connect the Switch
Glue the switch on the + side of the engine.
Step 3: Connect Cable to Motor
Solder the red cable (+) to the switch and the white (-) to the engine , remember to solder the switch.
Step 4: Connect Cable to USB
Solder the red cable (+) to the + USB and the white (-) to the – USB.
Finish it off with tape and shrink tubing,
don't tape the switch!
Step 5: Connect the Drill
Cut the ends of the electrical connector.
Glue the drill and motor together in the connector.
Step 6: Ready!! Let's Take It to the Test!
See the end of the video for test!!

Participated in the
Maker Olympics Contest 2016

Participated in the
Metal Contest 2016
15 Comments
5 years ago
where do you get the motor?
6 years ago
Awesome the way you used that connector to couple drill bit and motor shaft, very useful
Reply 6 years ago
Thanks !
6 years ago
If you want to reduce chance of damaging your USB port, try the next configuration.
Reply 6 years ago
I mean add a Diode like people said on previous comments xD
6 years ago
I don't see any EMF or spike suppression circuitry, I'm not sure I would use the USB rail as a power source for this, motors throw out a heck of a back voltage.
Reply 6 years ago
BeachsideHank thanks for the reply!
isnt it allready on the motor?
Reply 6 years ago
I hope someone else can verify, but it looks like a simple disk capacitor to me.
Reply 6 years ago
i'm gonna check this next week. i'll let you know what it is!
Reply 6 years ago
It's a disk capacitor ;). Thanks for replying, i'll take this in my next projects!
Reply 6 years ago
Yes, it is just a simple 47nF ceramic disc capacitor.
Reply 6 years ago
I saw this on my FB, looked at a motor that is somehow connected with a USB to a PC or laptop... even as someone without background in electronics my alarms went off: back voltage from the motor. (played with microcontrollers and was warned many times about this).
But in this case I'm not sure what will happen, because unlike with circuits where the voltage is switched on and off by the microcontroller, here it uses a momentary switch. So if you release the switch, there is only one line connected. How can there be a back voltage?
Can someone explain what will happen?
Reply 6 years ago
I want to tell you one thing most of PC or Laptop gives 5V with around 500mA you can't use more than that. And if you are conscious about EMF or spike suppression circuitry let me tell you the circuit connection is right even if you are using constant voltage its upon you to use capacitor. and you can you a diode for specialized electronic component with two electrodes called anode and cathode. at last capacitor is not that much necessary that much but from my point of view you should use diode.
6 years ago
I tried this drill machine and ya what you showed in the last part of the video. this drill can do that much only. You can't use it on PCB or any hard surface. If you want too use it on hard surface then you have to use high voltage motor (at least 12V) and yes it will vibrate more.
6 years ago
That's a capacitor you see on the motor. There is no back emf protection in that circuit. You'll want t put a flyback diode on that circuit or risk frying the USB power rail. You also might want to throw in a current limiting resistor. I'm not sure what the stall current is of those little motors, but that could also risk pulling too much current from the board. While most computers automatically cut off the USB current draw at 1A, you still want to be safe.